ORIGINAL: soresoar
I've been around RC planes for many years (most recently sailplanes and dynamic soaring) but I only recently got back into glow.
I am having major problems controlling my plane (a low-wing Stick taildragger) on the takeoff roll. The plane will make a 90 degree turn to the left at full throttle that is barely correctible.
Is this "normal" for this type of plane? I know some amount of right rudder is necessary on takeoff, but this is truly ridiculous.
Also, could my landing gear/wheels be at fault? There is quite a bit of play in both the main wheels (Du-Bro low-bounce) and the tail gear.
THe plane, for those who were wondering, is a .46 size Sport Stick from Hobby People (pretty good flyer, actually)
Many items can contribute to this problem:
Try this checklist;
Add 2-4* right thrust.
Use some tubing to eliminate any slop in the wheel bearing surfaces. if flying off grass loose is better, if off hard surface not loose but not tight.
Any slop in a stearable tail wheel will give you grief. Free coaster tailwheels will give you more grief, if you have any crosswind, especially at the initial roll of the take-off and the slowing down of the landing roll.
Technique wise: Start your TO with a slow advance of the throttle with very light up elevator, concentrating on rudder steering. As soon as the model is moving with response to the directional control, go neutral on the elevator to allow the stabilizer to seek the level air stream. Concentrate on keeping straight with rudder. With a good head of steam up, apply a very light up elevator pressure and establish a climb. CONTINUE STEERING WITH RUDDER. USE ONLY ENOUGH AILERON TO MAINTAIN WINGS LEVEL. IF A WING DROPS MUCH USE RUDDER TO PICK IT UP. MAINTAIN ELEVATOR TO KEEP NOSE ATTITUDE DOWN
BELOW 15* CLIMB OUT for at least 50 feet after TO. Use of aileron at liftoff or just before or after only creates adverse yaw and causes violent roll tendencies, especially with excessive elevator inputs after TO.
Good straight Take Offs are an art and require good skills. The usual overpowered jump-offs with the left-turn uncontrolled what-cha'call-it maneuvers don't really define the purists' form.
OTOH some of the ARF trainers of today have so much right "rudder" built into the vertical stabilizer that it is difficult to get them to go left. These guys get soloed, never learn to make real take-offs, jump to some hot P-51 and wonder why it was "built wrong"!
